Chapel tent



T. I. CURTIS Dec. 5, 1939.

CHAPEL TENT Filed Sept. l2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 my rtg/vm,

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T. l. CURTIS CHAPEL TENT Dec. 5, 1939.

Filed Sept. l2, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to tents or canopies generally, but has special reference to chapel tents such as are used for sheltering the attendants at funeral services in cemeteries.

It is an object of the invention to simplify structures of this type which may be readily set up, knocked down and transported.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a collapsible frame for a chapel tent, in which the end assemblies comprise unitary structures which may be collapsed and in which certain or" the parts are adjustable.

Another object of the invention consists in providing latches for securing the parts of the end frames in collapsed orfolded condition, such latches also serving as anchoring means for the canvas covering.

A further object of the invention resides inthe provision of novel means for quickly securing the ends of the stay rods or braces which connect the end assemblies.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be ap-parent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure l is a perspective View of one of the smaller chapel tents embodying the present invention, parts of the canvas covering being broken away to disclose the frame construction.

Figures 2 and 3 are detail sectional views taken on lines 2-2 and 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail perspective view of a corner of the frame in assembled relation.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing one end of one of the longitudinal braces about to be installed.

Figure 6 is a plan view of one of the end assemblies in collapsed condition ready for storage or transportation, and,

Figure 7 is a perspective view, reduced size, of the chapel tent erected and ready for use.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the numeral l indicates the man body of the chapel tent, and numerals 2 and 3 indicate the side and end extensions or awnings; it being understood of course that these extensions may be applied to both sides and ends of the main structure if desired.

The frame on which the canvas or other covering for the tent is mounted is formed primarily of tubular elements and comprises front and rear end assemblies and means for supporting these assemblies in erect and spaced relation. Oneof these assemblies will now be described.

The posts or legs of the tent frame are formed of tubes I0 which telescopically receive the ends of smaller tubes or rods Il. The base of each ieg Hl isvprovided with a ilang'ed socket I2, the flanges being apertured to receive pegs or stakes for anchoring the posts to the ground. The rods Il of the posts are preferably provided with a series of transverse apertures I3 adapted to receive pins lll for locking the rod in various extended positions.

To the upper end of each post lll-l I a bracket i5 is pivote'd, the bracket being provided with a stop l5 for engagement with the post so as to limit its outward pivotal movement. An arch comprising arcuate members il forms a part of Y each assembly. These arcuate members Il are pivotally connected to the brackets l5 and the adjacent ends of these members are pivotally connected to lateral extensions i8 of a socket memoer i9. The socket i9 is adjustably connected to an upright 2B by means of a set screw 2l.

-Rigidly connected to each bracket i 5 is a beam section 22 extending at right angles to the bracket l5 and having its opposite end pivotally connected to an extension 23 formed on a socket member 2t. the socket member receiving it are provided with aligned apertures for receiving a pin 25 for lockingv these elements in set-up position.

Rotatably and slidably mounted on each beam section 22 is a ring or collar 26 provided with a set screw 2 for locking it in position. These rings are each provided with a lug 28 adapted to be engaged by an eyelet in the canvas cover, and also with a hook or latch portion 29. The latches. 2S, as indicated in Figure 6, are caused to engage the posts lil when the end assembly is in collapsed condition. To this end the set screws 21 are loosened andthe latches are swung abo-ut the beam sections 22 so as to engage the posts I0, after which the set screws are secured. When in this position it is also to be noted that notches l2 formed in the base members "I2 of the'posts engage about the sections 22 and 2@ thus causing an interlocking of the parts.

The end'assembliesv folded and secured in the 45 manner described are conveniently arranged for storage or transportation and yet may be readily extended into set-up position by releasing the latches 29, swinging the parts to the positions shown in Figure 1, projecting the rod 20 upwardly 50 through its `socket 24 and tightening up on the set screw 25. For properly spacing the end frames just described and for supporting them in erect position side-poles 30 and a ridge-pole 3l are employed. 55

The lower end of the upright 20 as well as 25 The ends of the poles 30 (Figure 4) are provided with downwardly directed plates 32 and these plates are adapted to be seated in pockets 33 formed on the adjacent sides of brackets I5. Likewise .the ridge-pole 3| is provided with end plates or hooks 34 adapted to be positioned in pockets 35 formed on the adjacent sides of brackets I9. Set screws 36 are provided for releasably securing each of the plates or hooks within the pockets 33 and 35.

The side-poles 30 are provided with brace rods 37 which are pivoted to sleeves 38 secured to the rails 3D by set screws 39. The sleeves 38 have lugs 4U formed thereon to be engaged by eyelets in the edges of the canvas covering for the frame. On its free end the brace rod 3'I is provided with a hook III adapted to be received in an eye 42 mounted on a sleeve 43 on the post II. This sleeve t3 is of sumcient size to slide over andy encompass the lower end I6 of the pivoted bracket I5 and thus serves as a clamp to secure the bracket against movement about its pivot. A set screw 44 provides the means for locking the sleeve i3 in clamping position.

For supporting the dome or roof of the tent arcuate rods 46 are provided-in addition to the arcuate rods I'I which form a part of the end assemblies. These arcuate members 46 have their ends secured in socket members 41 and 48 on the side and central rails respectively. The sockets are formed onsleeves mounted on the side and central rails and these sleeves are secured in position by set screws. The side rail sleeves are provided with lugs for receiving eyelets formed on the canvas cover of the tent as was the case in connection with the sleeves of latches 29 and the sleeves of braces 3l. Additional sleeves 49 provided with lugs and set screws for securing the canvas in position may be spaced along the side rails as desired.

In order that awnings or extension members may be attached t0 the front and one or both sides of the tent proper supplemental frames may be attached to the main frame adjacent the top thereof. One of these supplemental frames is clearly indicated in Figure 1 and comprises a substantially U-shaped element 50 having its ends pivotally connected to eyebolts 5I xed to the brackets I5. Socket members 52 are adjustably mounted on the posts I0-II by set screws 53 and are adapted to receive the free ends of braces 54 which are pivotally connected to the arms of the U-shaped frame. 'Ihe front posts of ythe chapel tent may be provided with double sockets 55 adapted to receive braces from both the side and front extension frames. It will be apparent that these awnings may be adjusted to suit conditions by merely raising or lowering the socket members 52 and 55.

The operations necessary to the setting up of the tent frame have been fully described in connection with the description of the structural details and need not be repeated. It should be emphasized however that by reason of the unitary end assemblies the frame structures can be easily erected or collapsed and readily stored or transported from place to place without liability of loss of parts and with a minimum expenditure of time.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described what I now believe to be the preferred form of the invention but inasmuch as minor changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention it is intended that all such changes be included within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tent frame structure a foldable end assembly comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, brackets to which the ends of the arch and beam members are attached, supporting posts, and pivotal connections between the brackets and the upper ends of the posts.

2. In a tent frame structure a foldable end assembly comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, brackets to which the ends of th arch and beam members are attached, supportingvposts, pivotal connections between the upper ends of the posts and the brackets, and extensions `on the brackets adapted to engage the surfaces ofthe posts when the assembly is erected.

3. In a tent frame structure a foldable end assemblyl comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, brackets to which the ends ofthe arch and beam members are attached, supporting posts, pivotal connections between the brackets and posts, extensions on the brackets adapted to engage the posts when the assembly is erected, and clamps for locking the extensions to the posts.

4. In a tent frame structure a foldable end assembly comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, brackets to which the ends of the arch and beam members are attached, supporting posts, pivotal connections between the brackets and the upper ends of the posts, and latches for locking the beam sections and posts in folded relation.

5. vIn a tent frame structure a foldable end as'- sembly comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, ybrackets to which the ends of the arch and beam members are attached, supporting posts, pivotal connections between the brackets and the upper ends of the posts, and latches pivoted on the beam members and adapted to be interlocked with the posts when in folded position.

6... In a tent frame structure a foldable end assembly comprising a foldable arch member, a foldable beam member, brackets to which the ends of the arch and beam members are attached, supporting posts, pivotal connections between the brackets and the upper ends of the posts, latchesV pivoted on the beam members and adapted to be interlocked with the posts when in folded position, and lugs on said latches for engagement with a fabric top.

THOMAS I. CURTIS. 

